Report: Andrew Luck could return in time to face 49ers

The 49ers have three straight road games upcoming. The second is Week 5 in Indianapolis, which could be when quarterback Andrew Luck makes his 2017 debut for the Colts after surgery on his throwing shoulder in January.

Luck is expected to begin practicing this week, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortenson, and will need two to three weeks of preparation before he can take over under center for Jacoby Brissett. The earliest Luck is expected to return is Week 5 against San Francisco.

The Colts have maintained publicly there’s no timetable for the return of their franchise quarterback. The club over the summer gave luck a six-year, $140-million contract, including a record $87 million in injury guarantees.

They traded New England for Brissett Sept. 2 after Scott Tolzien was Luck’s top backup throughout the offseason. Brissett replaced Tolzien as the starter in Week 2 after getting blown out in the opener against the Rams.

Luck had surgery to repair his right rotator cuff. The Colts are willing to keep the former top-overall pick sidelined until his shoulder is fully healed, regardless of the team’s record, per the report.

The 49ers play Arizona Sunday before traveling to Indianapolis and Washington. Their next home game is Oct. 22 against the Cowboys.

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